Exploring the role of Maritime Spatial Planning in supporting a secure and resilient Baltic Sea

The Baltic Sea is facing geopolitical tensions. The Russian invasion in Ukraine, repeated cable disruptions in recent years and the presence of shadow fleets in the Baltic have signaled a shift in the marine operating environment and changed the way we must look at our shared sea. To support a resilient and secure Baltic Sea, there is a need to strengthen transboundary collaboration and develop common approaches to threats and challenges.

Maritime sectors such as offshore energy production and transfer, shipping, ports and fisheries all play an important role in ensuring security of supply in the countries bordering the Baltic Sea. Maritime spatial planning coordinates activities at sea, but its role in supporting overall security requires closer examination. Maintaining dialogue between different actors and countries, creating shared platforms for collaboration and recognizing synergies between sectors are key aspects of MSP that hold potential in contributing to better preparedness in the region.

Due to its topicality, safety and security of supply has been selected as one of the cross-cutting themes in Finland’s ongoing revision of the Maritime Spatial Plan. A study commissioned by the Finnish MSP Coordination Group outlining the threats faced by maritime sectors and their opportunities to support safety and security of supply is to be published in August 2025. The study includes a comprehensive security vision for Finland’s marine areas, developed together with stakeholders. The work also provides insights into how MSP can support the overall vision, but there is a need to reflect on the results from a wider perspective. The Baltic Sea region urgently needs a coordinated approach to strengthening resilience on a seabasin level. Engaging maritime sectors in the discussion is crucial to understand the ways in which planning can support future-proofing marine and coastal areas.

“The dialogue MSP builds between different actors has great value. Especially in the current situation we should explore where and how the MSP process and planning can best support security at sea  – not only from a national, but also a macro-regional perspective.” says Laura Pietilä, Project Planner in the Baltic Sea2Land project at the Coordination of the Finnish Maritime Spatial Planning Cooperation.

These themes will be in focus in the 5th Baltic MSP Forum session: “Safety and security of supply in the Baltic Sea”. The session invites maritime spatial planners, authorities as well as maritime sectors to reflect on MSP’s potential in supporting security and resilience at sea and in coastal areas. The 5th Baltic MSP Forum will take place on 11-12 November 2025 fully on-site in Riga, Latvia. More information and registration for this event: www.BalticMSPforum.eu.

Author of text: Laura Pietilä,
Project Planner, Coordination of the Finnish Maritime Spatial Planning Cooperation

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